Honda XL 125 V-B vs Yamaha YBR 125

The Honda XL 125 V-B passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YBR 125: 83.4% vs 71.0%, a 12.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Honda XL 125 V-B	Yamaha YBR 125
First-time pass rate	83.4%	71.0%
Outright fail rate	10.3%	17.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+12.6 pts	-1.1 pts
Engine size	125cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#2868 of 5428	#4664 of 5428
Median miles at test	13,216	10,652
MOT tests analysed	1,258	124,897
Most common failure	brakes	brakes

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Honda XL 125 V-B	Yamaha YBR 125
Lights & signalling	3.9%	8.5%
Brakes	4.8%	5.9%
Steering & suspension	2.9%	6.5%
Tyres & wheels	1.8%	4.4%
Structure & body	1.1%	3.8%
Drive system	1.3%	2.9%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.6%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Honda XL 125 V-B	Yamaha YBR 125
2018	83.2%	72.0%
2019	82.8%	71.8%
2020	84.1%	73.4%
2021	81.8%	71.6%
2022	80.0%	71.3%
2023	82.8%	71.1%
2024	81.3%	70.9%
2025	83.8%	71.2%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	Honda XL 125 V-B	Yamaha YBR 125
0k-10k miles	85.7%	76.8%
10k-20k miles	88.7%	67.4%
20k-30k miles	75.2%	63.8%
30k-40k miles	71.6%	62.2%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Honda XL 125 V-B vs Yamaha YBR 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda XL 125 V-B or the Yamaha YBR 125?

The Honda XL 125 V-B passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YBR 125: 83.4% vs 71.0%, a 12.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda XL 125 V-B still comes out ahead: +12.6 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda XL 125 V-B, -1.1 for the Yamaha YBR 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda XL 125 V-B fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 4.8% of Honda XL 125 V-B MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (3.9%).

What does the Yamaha YBR 125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.5% of Yamaha YBR 125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (6.5%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda XL 125 V-B or the Yamaha YBR 125?

At 30k-40k miles the Honda XL 125 V-B passes first time more often: 71.6% for the Honda XL 125 V-B vs 62.2% for the Yamaha YBR 125.

HONDA XL 125 V-B 83.4% pass · 1,258 tests YAMAHA YBR 125 71.0% pass · 125k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.